'On Thursday we wear pink': VP Leni Robredo's supporters paint social media pink as she announces run for president
"On Thursday we wear pink." This was the dress code for Vice President Leni Robredo's supporters on Thursday, Oct. 7 as she announced that she'll be running for president in the 2022 national elections after months of speculation.
Before her announcement, online communities campaigning for Robredo urged supporters to wear pink clothes, lipstick, makeup, and more. "Atin ang kulay na ito sa 2022," Facebook page Dapat si Leni posted on Oct. 6. They also referenced the 2004 comedy Mean Girls by changing the movie's iconic "On Wednesdays we wear pink" line to Thursday, the date of the address.
As she took the stage at the Quezon City Reception House, Robredo donned a pink ribbon in keeping with her campaign motif.
Her daughters Aika and Tricia, as well as supporters in attendance, wore pink face masks for the occasion.
Thursday is pink day
Social media, too, was flooded with celebrities, influencers, and netizens painting their feeds with pink OOTDs, backgrounds, memes, and more as they poured out support for Robredo. As the current VP made her announcement, "#LabanLeni2022" and "Pink" trended worldwide with over 357k and 223k tweets, respectively.
Miss Universe Philippines 2021 top 16 finalist Ayn Bernos, actresses Jolina Magdangal, K Brosas, and Agot Isidro let their fans know who they're rallying behind in the upcoming elections as they posted their pink day selfies.
#LABANLENI2022 #LetLeniLead ??? pic.twitter.com/hbl304Lg1J
— carmela brosas (@kbrosas) October 7, 2021
Handa na ba kayooooooo? ???#LabanLeni2022
— Agot Isidro (@agot_isidro) October 7, 2021
Post your pretty or porma in pink picture ? pic.twitter.com/Bkvt1aaDVz
Meanwhile, Angel Locsin, Filipino rock band Moonstar88, and Gabbi Garcia took a more subtle approach with their posts.
??? pic.twitter.com/7yZLgYXDxb
— moonstar88 (@moonstar88band) October 7, 2021
feel ko magpink outfit mamaya sa tennis class ko yehey ???????? balitaan ko kayo
— Gabbi Garcia ♡ (@gabbi) October 7, 2021
Memes and more
Aside from OOTD selfies, netizens also shared memes where their favorite artists, characters, and more are clad in pink.
JUST IN: Lady Gaga just arrived at QC Reception House wearing pink in support of VP Leni wbk ?#LabanLeni2022 pic.twitter.com/RuRe6Ur549
— Ryan (@ry_lnt) October 7, 2021
Ariana wearing pink and said to support Leni #LabanLeni2022 ?? pic.twitter.com/kXN7Pv2pyv
— Clark Jairo Carpio (@CClarkjairo) October 7, 2021
Kween Yasmin supports Leni for President ✨ #AbanteBabae #LetLeniLead2022 pic.twitter.com/Reh1z5a24e
— GEE ?? #RegisterToVote (@geezonium) October 7, 2021
K-pop fans joined in on the pink day fun, sharing photos of their idols in the signature color with #LabanLeni in the captions.
Laban Leni ? best pink haired kpop girls pic.twitter.com/uPcl4e46kO
— ✨ 50% inactive ✨ (@YRsquirtle) October 7, 2021
EXO really said,, on Thursday, we wear pink??? #LabanLeni2022 #LetLeniLead pic.twitter.com/JAfvEjDM0c
— mara | #AllRounderLAYDay (@zhoumara_622) October 7, 2021
thanks BTS for wearing pink and showing ur support /j #LabanLeni2022 pic.twitter.com/Jvayw1VR2V
— VEL (@yagirlvel) October 7, 2021
A moving declaration
A number of netizens were also moved by Robredo running for president, causing "naiiyak ako" to trend locally. Many shared that they got emotional from her speech and wrote about how her bid is a source of "hope" for them.
Shiiit!!! Naiiyak ako! I’m looking forward to a better Philippines, My vote goes to you #LabanLeni2022 ?
— r (@c0rporateslave) October 7, 2021
pic.twitter.com/cwRJPJVUkG
Naiiyak ako. Itong ito yung first time that I welled up with tears because of hope, and mukhang that’s what Leni’s decision means too for plenty others ????
— Hilderlyn (@hjoldr) October 7, 2021
naiiyak ako ?? there’s hope. don’t just campaign in social media, inform your family and friends. https://t.co/qZNQHkkRUm
— asdfg⁷? (@xnndhxs) October 7, 2021
Robredo's "lalaban tayo" line from her speech and "abante babae" also trended on Twitter.